Why do we need VBS?More and more churches are telling me that they can't get children and youth in their programs, or that they don't have programs at all. So if we accept this reality, how can we help support children, youth, and families in their Christian formation and development? We can meet them where they are!Many churches already have VBS or some kind of summer program, why not use it as one of your main children's formation program?

Create a Program

You really can use any curriculum as a VBS program, with just a little transformation

Planning

1) PurposeWhat is your reason for having this? Please be honest with yourselves. Some reasons may be: because we've always done it to serve the community to let people know about our church and recruit members to offer to the children and grandchildren of the parish some Christian Formation

2) AudienceWho is your target audience? Are they people who are regual attendees, or family members of parishioners, or children from the community? Or perhaps they're summer vacationers?

3) Schedule- When will you have it?Will it be for a full week, and if so, how long each day?Will it be a once a week evening program?Will it be a full weekend program?Remember the purpose and audience as you do this.

4) Location - Where will it be?Do you want it on your church property or someplace else (park, farm, etc.)?Do you want to be outside, and if so do you have rain contengencies?Are there enough bathrooms, places to prepare food and eat?

5) Program - What will you be doing?Start with the theme (remember your audience and purpose) and then decide on the curriculumLook at the time during the day you have schedule and set the agenda with broad strokes (i.e. activity, game, food, education, worship, etc.)Find the volunteers and teachers and with them fill in the schedule